I’ve recently moved into a new apartment and needed curtains for an unusually shaped window that is wide and short. Since it would be difficult to find pre-made curtains of this size, I decided to get down to it and make some some DIY layered curtains!
Handmade Layered Curtain Instructions
In this tutorial you will learn how to make vertically layered curtains. This method gives you an opportunity to work with multiple colors and fabric tones. To enrich the atmosphere of this room I went with a bold brown velvet, a crepe fabric in hot pink, and a flat tangerine fabric. I chose this to match my extraordinary bedding that I have from The Bedding Company. First you will need to chose your fabrics and collect your materials.
DIY Layered Curtain Materials
- Sewing Machine
- Curtain rod and hardware
- Thread
- Pins
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric (3 colors)
- Pencil
How To Make DIY Layered Curtains
- Determine the amount of fabric you need according to the size of your window. It’s best to draw a diagram to bring with you to the fabric store.
- Once you’ve got all your supplies and have brought your fabric home, use the width measurement of the window to determine how big to cut your 2 main curtain pieces. You will divide the overall width in half to get the measurement for each individual side, adding 1/6 of the measurement to each side so the curtain isn’t totally straight when completely drawn, and taking into account the seam.
- Next you will determine the height of the curtains according to the diagram. Cut this adding a ¼ inch seam plus 3 inches for where the rod will be sewn into the fabric. Adjust the 3 inch measurement according to how thick your rod is.
- Next you’re going to pin the seams on the main fabric swath. Start with the 2 vertical seams on each of your curtain pieces. Pin a ¼ seam like so. As shown in the picture, make sure to pin perpendicular to the seam so that you can sew right over your pins.
- Next, sew these 4 vertical seams. Start at the top, and backstitch for an inch and then continue down the line with a ¼ seam and finish with a couple backstitches.
- Next, you’re going to sew the seam to hold the curtain on the rod. Fold your material approximating the seam. Slip the rod in and pin. Pin around the rod to ensure your seam is large enough. You can do a tight seam or a loose seam depending on the look you’re going for. Slip the rod out and re-pin going perpendicular to the seam so you can sew over your pins again. Take one pin out a time to resituate. Add a ¼ inch for the stitch.
- Sew this seam with a ¼ stitch, with a back stitch on both ends. Repeat for second curtain. Ensure the rod fits after sewing it.
- Now, grab your complimentary fabric pieces (the pink and tangerine for me.) You’re going to cut the appropriate length (the same as the vertical measurement of your main fabric,) and width according to how you want it. Add a ½ inch for two seams on either end. Cut according to your measurements.
- Pin the two shorter ends and one longer end for seams on both pieces of colored fabric. Repeat for 2nd curtain. Make sure to pin perpendicular to the seam going all the way around.
- Sew your 4 complimentary color pieces all the way around, starting at the beginning with a ¼ seam. Once you hit a corner ensure your needle is inserted in the fabric, lift the foot guide and pivot the fabric to do the long side of the seam. Repeat when you hit the next corner. Backstitch both ends.
- Next, pin your 2 complimentary pieces of fabric together (one pink and one tangerine) according to how much of each color you would like showing on the curtain.
- Next, pin these two pieces to the main piece allowing for at least a ¼ seam. It’s up to you how much of the fabric you want showing! (Note: If you buy stretch fabric for the main fabric you can use a trick to ruffle the 2 complimentary pieces. Stretch your main fabric and pin to the 2 color pieces. When the main fabric is let go the attached fabric bunches causing a ruffle. You can see in the next picture we had a little stretch to the brown fabric so put in a mini wave. You will need to add a couple inches to the length of the colored fabric in order to do this.)
- Next, sew these pinned pieces from the back onto the main fabric using a ¼ seam. Make sure you’re sewing both pieces of the vertical fabric to the main piece. Repeat for second curtain.
- Next, cut any stray threads off your curtain pieces.
Conclusion
Voila! Homemade curtains with color and texture flair! Hang your curtains onto the rod. Make sure to take the time to admire your handy work. Your mother and grandmother would be proud!
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Sheza says
Nice tutorial you didn’t miss any step, will definitely try this.